7 Holiday Survival Tips To Overcome Tantrums, Meltdowns, And Unwanted Opinions For The ADHD Family
The holidays are right around the corner, and that means lots of family time and togetherness. In a lot of cases, we have high expectations and that can be dangerous if you don't have a plan on how you'll handle stressful situation.
Online, November 25, 2013 (Newswire.com) - ADHD and the holidays can make for a lot of fun, or it can make for a lot of stress. Typically, the holidays include travel, tight quarters, rituals, and close encounters with friends and family that you typically cannot avoid. While we all hope for the best, it's not uncommon for tensions to run hot and quickly spiral out of control.
Behavior therapist and best-selling author, Rory F. Stern, PsyD tells us that there are simple little tips we can all apply to make the holidays as joyous as we imagine them. "Unfortunately, the biggest problem I see is that families have high expectations, and aren't typically prepared on how to manage unwanted tension as it arises," Dr. Stern tells us.
To make the holidays less stressful, and more about family and fun, Dr. Stern shares with us 7 easy to implement tips that he assures us can quickly, and easily turn things around before it's too late.
Tip #1: Plan ahead. In a lot of cases, this isn't your first holiday as a family. You know what to expect, so get prepared for it. Talk with your partner, spouse, or kids ahead of time. Have a plan.
Tip #2: Be on the same page. It's vital you air your concerns ahead of time, and have a calm discussion about how you want to handle things if they get out of control.
Tip #3: Give yourself an out. Your plan should include when you're going to excuse yourself from the meal or gathering. Set up a non-verbal cue between you and your partner, or have a secret word. Don't leave things open ended as this can increase the anxiety by fearing "it will never end."
Tip #4: Have realistic expectations. Don't go in expecting the perfect holiday if you've never had one before. I'm not saying don't be positive, but manage your expectations so you aren't disappointed by something that just isn't possible.
Tip#5: Build in fun. Whether you're traveling far or just around the corner, make sure you prepare for your trip. Make sure your kids have activities or electronics to keep them busy and happy. Build in time for running late.
Tip #6: Expect things (and be prepared). Chances are you already know who is going to overstep their bounds, so be prepared on how you are going to handle it. Have an answer or reply already prepared. Practice it if you have to.
Tip #7: Give him a break. Never forget that we all have family roles, and it's very easy (and not at all uncommon) to slip back into those roles when we are around family. Expect it. Be prepared for it. Don't take it personally.
In addition, Dr. Stern reminds us that the holidays are a time just like any other, and children will benefit from structure and a routine. While it might not always be that easy Dr. Stern wants us to know that every little bit helps, and you can minimize the degree to which things feel out of control.
For more information, and to ask Dr. Stern your questions, be sure to visit him online at AskDrStern.com. You can also get additional tips and information in Dr. Stern's weekly podcast, available on iTunes, or you can join his growing community of over 14,000 loved ones on the fastest growing ADHD page on Facebook, Help Your ADHD Child
